Marina
The Wichita Ethics Board has determined that Mayor Lily Wu violated part of the city’s code of ethics following an incident involving the signature of a proclamation earlier this spring.
The issue stems from a proclamation for Transgender Day of Visibility, which was presented at a City Council meeting on March 18.
The Proclamation Incident: What Happened?
On March 31, a proclamation marking Transgender Day of Visibility was discussed at the City Council meeting.
However, the proclamation was missing Mayor Wu’s signature, which led to twenty-two complaints being filed against her.
Mayor Wu explained that the omission of her signature was due to a clerical error and insisted she did not intentionally refuse to sign the document.
In addition, the mayor clarified that she had voted against the proclamation and expressed her discomfort with reading it aloud during the council meeting.
The Ethics Board’s Findings
The Wichita Ethics Board conducted a review and concluded that Mayor Wu had violated a section of the code of ethics, specifically section H, which states that public officials must “work in full cooperation with other officials and employees in performing their duties unless prohibited by law.”
The board ruled that the mayor failed to meet her responsibility to cooperate fully with other officials and employees in executing the functions of government.
They noted that Wu did not make proper arrangements in advance for another council member to read the proclamation, which was part of her duty.
According to Kathy Sexton, a member of the Wichita Ethics Board, this oversight demonstrated a lack of cooperation with fellow city officials.
Consequences of the Ruling
While the Ethics Board has determined that the mayor’s actions were in violation of the ethics code, no further penalties will be imposed beyond the ruling. Wu has seven business days to respond to the decision.
Mayor Lily Wu’s failure to fully cooperate in the handling of the proclamation for Transgender Day of Visibility has been deemed a violation of the city’s ethics code.
The incident stemmed from a clerical error regarding the signature and a lack of preparation for the reading of the proclamation at the
City Council meeting. The Ethics Board’s ruling emphasizes the importance of cooperation among public officials in ensuring the smooth operation of government duties.